FLIGHTPATH | 35LE F T: S.E.5as of 37 squadron being worked on in one
of the hangars at Stow Maries during late-1918.
[Cross & Cockade International, via Ivor Dallinger]
BELOW: Oliver Wulf ’s B.E.2e replica at Stow Maries,
it wears the markings of A2943, a machine of 7
squadron RFC.
TOP: The pair of B.E.2es made their public
debut at the end of June, flying at Stow
Maries and Old Warden. [all Mike Shreeve]LE F T: The cockpits of the B.E.2es have
been fitted out to authentic period
specifications.BELOW: Gene DeMarco from The Vintage
Aviator Ltd with one of the pair of B.E.2es
shipped over from New Zealand to the UK.base at Biggin Hill in Kent, the other side of
London. The airfield at Stow Maries was
then closed and the land returned to the
Turner family, who continued to farm it and
use the buildings for agricultural and ac-
commodation purposes.
Because of its remoteness, the site re-
mained largely untouched, and was ac-
quired in recent years by Russell Savory and
Steve Wilson of RS Performance (who de-
velop and manufacture high-performance
bespoke vehicles), and moved their work-
shop to the site. The new owners decided to
launch a project to restore the site, due to its
uniqueness in being a largely untouched
Great War aerodrome, preserved in the
state in which it was abandoned in 1919.
Some two dozen original buildings (which
since 2012 have been given Grade II listed
status) remain. A £1.5 million (A$2.6m)
grant from the National Heritage Memorial
Fund, awarded in 2013, has ensured the fu-
ture of the site, and backing has also been
received from Essex County Council, Mal-
don District Council and English Heritage.
The aim is to continue the restoration of the
buildings on the site, and return it (as near
as possible) to its appearance as an opera-